drum
1a musical percussion instrument consisting of a hollow, usually cylindrical, body covered at one or both ends with a tightly stretched membrane, or head, which is struck with the hand, a stick, or a pair of sticks, and typically produces a booming, tapping, or hollow sound.
any hollow tree or similar object or device used in this way.
the sound produced by such an instrument, object, or device.
any rumbling or deep booming sound.
a natural organ by which an animal produces a loud or bass sound.
any cylindrical object with flat ends.
a cylindrical part of a machine.
a cylindrical box or receptacle, especially a large, metal one for storing or transporting liquids.
Also called tambour .Architecture.
any of several cylindrical or nearly cylindrical stones laid one above the other to form a column or pier.
a cylindrical or faceted construction supporting a dome.
Ichthyology. any of several marine and freshwater fishes of the family Sciaenidae that produce a drumming sound.
Also called drum memory .Computers. magnetic drum.
Archaic. an assembly of fashionable people at a private house in the evening.
a person who plays the drum.
Australian Informal. reliable, confidential, or profitable information: to give someone the drum.
to beat or play a drum.
to beat on anything rhythmically, especially to tap one's fingers rhythmically on a hard surface.
to make a sound like that of a drum; resound.
(of ruffed grouse and other birds) to produce a sound resembling drumming.
to beat (a drum) rhythmically; perform by beating a drum: to drum a rhythm for dancers.
to call or summon by, or as if by, beating a drum.
to drive or force by persistent repetition: to drum an idea into someone.
to fill a drum with; store in a drum: to drum contaminated water and dispose of it.
drum out,
(formerly) to expel or dismiss from a military service in disgrace to the beat of a drum.
to dismiss in disgrace: He was drummed out of the university for his gambling activities.
drum up,
to call or summon by, or as if by, beating a drum.
to obtain or create (customers, trade, interest, etc.) through vigorous effort: They were unable to drum up enthusiasm for the new policies.
Idioms about drum
beat the drum, to promote, publicize, or advertise: The boss is out beating the drum for a new product.
Origin of drum
1Other words from drum
- un·der·drum·ming, noun
Other definitions for drum (2 of 2)
a long, narrow hill or ridge.
Origin of drum
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use drum in a sentence
But they had not quit and here they now were as the Emerald Society Pipes and Drums came into the Garden.
The NYPD Emerald Society pipes and drums struck up a slow march and the procession began the journey to the cemetery.
Choking Back Tears, Thousands of Cops Honor Fallen Officer Ramos | Michael Daly | December 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe line right before this is “With little tin horns and little toy drums.”
The Most Confusing Christmas Music Lyrics Explained (VIDEO) | Kevin Fallon | December 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe “rooty toot toot” is simply the noise the horns make, while “rummy tum tum” is the drums.
The Most Confusing Christmas Music Lyrics Explained (VIDEO) | Kevin Fallon | December 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt was one night, with Tony Williams on drums and, I think, Richard Davis on bass.
All the time there was a tremendous beating of drums and blowing of horns and ringing of bells.
Our Little Korean Cousin | H. Lee M. PikeI hate drums in the march,' said the king, 'they do nothing but confuse the step.
A white flag waved on the rampart, and the drums of the garrison beat the chamade.
One of the musicians played upon two small drums, the other two on four-stringed instruments, similar to our violins.
A Woman's Journey Round the World | Ida PfeifferHalf an hour after, drums beat, cannon thundered, and the majestic cathedral bell began to boom.
Balsamo, The Magician | Alexander Dumas
British Dictionary definitions for drum (1 of 2)
/ (drʌm) /
music a percussion instrument sounded by striking a membrane stretched across the opening of a hollow cylinder or hemisphere
beat the drum for informal to attempt to arouse interest in
the sound produced by a drum or any similar sound
an object that resembles a drum in shape, such as a large spool or a cylindrical container
architect
one of a number of cylindrical blocks of stone used to construct the shaft of a column
the wall or structure supporting a dome or cupola
short for eardrum
Also called: drumfish any of various North American marine and freshwater sciaenid fishes, such as Equetus pulcher (striped drum), that utter a drumming sound
a type of hollow rotor for steam turbines or axial compressors
computing a rotating cylindrical device on which data may be stored for later retrieval: now mostly superseded by disks: See disk (def. 2)
archaic a drummer
the drum Australian informal the necessary information (esp in the phrase give (someone) the drum)
to play (music) on or as if on a drum
to beat or tap (the fingers) rhythmically or regularly
(intr) (of birds) to produce a rhythmic sound, as by beating the bill against a tree, branch, etc
(tr sometimes foll by up) to summon or call by drumming
(tr) to instil by constant repetition: to drum an idea into someone's head
Origin of drum
1British Dictionary definitions for drum (2 of 2)
/ (drʌm) /
Scot and Irish a narrow ridge or hill
Origin of drum
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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